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Rookie Jared Goff shows he belongs in Rams debut

Prior to his second training camp, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff will get some golf in by playing in the 28th annual American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe. A number of current and former NFL quarterbacks, including Carson Palmer and Tony Romo, are playing in the event. Harrah's Lake Tahoe lists Goff's odds of winning at 50-1.(Photo: MARK J. TERRILL/AP)

LOS ANGELES — Jared Goff may not be the quick fix that immediately rights the Rams and puts Los Angeles on a path to this postseason.

But the rookie quarterback showed signs of being ready to lead an NFL team during the 14-10 loss to Miami on Sunday afternoon at the Coliseum.

“He was in complete control in the huddle,” Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said. “He did a nice job on the line of scrimmage. I was disappointed in the outcome of the game, but you can see the light. There’s light there for him.”

Considering the Rams had failed to score a touchdown in three of their nine games under previous starter Case Keenum, Fisher’s decision to “turn the keys over” to Goff on Tuesday was supported by the No. 1-overall draft pick’s play in his debut.

“Jared showed some great flashes,” defensive end Robert Quinn said. “He had the crowd excited and definitely had me excited. He made some flash plays.”

Goff completed 17 of 31 passes for only 134 yards, but he didn’t turn the ball over — a significant issue over the first half of the season — and led the Rams to their first double-digit lead of the season at home.

Los Angeles led for nearly 55 minutes, including a 10-0 stranglehold with 6:40 to play, before a disastrous final few minutes.

“It’s hard to praise any one of your players in a loss like this, but, when all eyes are on our quarterback, I thought he handled this game pretty well,” Fisher said. “I’m looking forward to him having another real week of preparation.”

Goff may be framed as the Rams’ future franchise quarterback, but the biggest immediate effect of the quarterback change came in the ground game. After an interminable nine-game wait, running back Todd Gurley finally broke off his first 20-yard gain of the season.

That it was a 24-yard touchdown run through the heart of the Dolphins’ defense to give the Rams an early 7-0 lead only underscored Goff’s effect on the offense.

“Early on, we were running it well,” Goff said.

His first completion was a 3-yard pass to fellow rookie tight end Tyler Higbee, Goff’s training camp roommate, on his third attempt.

“It took me a couple drives to settle in,” Goff said. “That was expected. Similar to my first start in college, in high school, in my whole life, your first game in there you’ve got to settle in.

“It took a couple drives, probably, but I felt good. I did settle in well throughout the game.”

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Goff’s debut was the 6-foot-4, 215-pound rookie’s ability to move in the pocket, which opened eyes from the stands to his own sideline.

“He’s able to move pretty good in the pocket,” tight end Lance Kendricks said. “That was something he did well. He avoided a lot of hits that he didn’t need to take.”

But Goff was robbed of the biggest highlight of his NFL debut. Scrambling to his left early in the fourth quarter, Goff dove for the down marker for an 11-yard gain on third and 10.

But the play was nullified by offensive tackle Greg Robinson’s block in the back penalty behind the play.

“To me, he had a lot of pocket presence,” Quinn said. “He moved around and stepped out of possible sacks to give his receivers a chance to make a play. I am excited about him.”

The 22-year-old gave his debut mixed reviews.

“I think getting in and out of the huddle in time, getting the ball snapped and not having any delay of games was a positive,” Goff said. “Something I would like to do better is to just be a little cleaner on my reads. I missed a couple and some I want back.”

Goff took a few shots. He was sacked once and hit four times, including on the third snap of the game by defensive end Jason Jones, which prompted Fisher to check on him.

“You get a thumbs up and he’s OK,” Fisher said. “He’s ready to go for the next play. He was really into it. I was really proud of him.”

The second chapter in Goff’s on-field education arrives this week in New Orleans.

“What greater challenge can you imagine than being in his shoes and going down and competing against the likes of Drew Brees?” Fisher asked. “That’s a huge challenge for him.”